In the quest to create a collection of barrel-aged beers to be reproduced annually, Avery Brewing Company is releasing Uncle Jacob’s Stout, the second member of its Annual Barrel Series. The collection began with Rumpkin rum barrel-aged pumpkin ale in the fall of 2011, and now continues with this 17.4% ABV stout that was aged in first-use Bourbon barrels for 6 months. While the Avery Barrel-Aged Series features one-time-only batches, such as the recent Muscat d’Amour and Récolte Sauvage, the Annual Barrel Series features a selection of cellarable barrel-aged beers that fans can return to and get to know every year.

Reviews by minterro:

Either bought at Little's in Denver, CO or got as part of a beer trade. Either way Batch #2, 16.53% when bottled on June 27, 2013. At this point a little over a year old (6 months in barrels and 7.5 in the bottle). No special reason to crack this one open tonight, just seemed like a good age to give it a go (especially since I got another one).

A&S: Spectacular smell upon cracking it! A huge and complex aroma consisting of dark fruits (plums), bananas dipped in dark chocolate, bourbon (smells pretty hot still), and some coffee. Bourbon and cocoa come through more as it warms. One of the darkest black beers I've seen. Doesn't look super thick when poured. Head is dark cherry/tan, pours super fizzy (about a half finger) and dies quickly to a ring. Very clean, surprisingly no residue clinging at the bottom of the bottle.

T&M: Very powerful & warming. Tons of bourbon upfront (even without letting it warm too much) wow this thing sure has a kick! Dark cocoa is present in the midway through. Not much in the department of fruits (bananas or plums) like in the aroma. Very mellow toasty tones towards the finish. Taste hangs around even on a thinner body. Actually become a bit less alcoholic as it warms with is pretty unusual. Body is thinner than expected for the style, but not for the appearance when poured, overall kinda sharp. Carbonation is medium to low.

Overall: This beer is a bruiser, even a bit too powerful. It a beer that deserves its rating, but probably not much higher. I would like to let it sit longer to cool down, but after my experience with 3.5-4 year aged Harvest Ale I'm afraid to let beers sit too long (although another few months won't compare to 4ish years). This beer this brew most resembles is KBS from Founders, I would love to do a side by side (I honestly don't know what I would prefer nowadays).

There's a reason this is one of the top 250 beers on BA. 2013 vintage consumed while in line for Out of the Emptiness by Tied Hands. The best stout I've had from Avery. Super think, chewy, chocolate, barrel, toffee deliciousness. Paid a pretty penny for it, but it was worth the labor to purchase it. Unreal!